Clarins Graphic Expressions Eye Khol*

As if we weren’t aware enough of it already, it really is the end of summer; the nights are darker, mornings colder, but one thing you can rejoice in is the new wave of Autumn/Winter makeup collections.

First up is Clarins’ Graphic Expressions, a collection of pieces which will look just right when peaking out of bundled up sweaters.

First up for review were the new Crayon Khôl available in 8 wearable shades, and I decided to try 05 Intense Violet, 06 Bronze, and 08 Taupe.

All three are similar in consistency – the pencil formula provides good colour payoff without dragging at your lids, and when I wear any of them in my upper lash line, the colour stays put for hours.

Not only are these perfect for your regular eye-lining needs, but the nifty little brushes encased on the opposite ends of the pencils means you can blend the colour out, allowing them to be worn as eyeshadow too – genius!

I should probably confess to my boring eyeliner status – 98% are black, with a couple of brown and grey pencils thrown in there, but these colours were just too pretty to resist! The first colour I plumped for was the Intense Violet.

When applied softly, you could almost mistake it for a brown, but once you intensify the colour it is sublime! A rich, dark, inky violet which gives black a run for its money when creating a smokey eye. There is a definite metallic sheen with the pencil, but thankfully it is in no way sparkly, and the cool means it would suit every eye colour.

Next up is Bronze, which on the pencil looks like a dark khaki, and is just perfect for the new eyeshadow quad also released by Clarins.

When applied, the green tones seem to fade to a dark brown, grey with some earthy undertones. Again, the metallic sheen is subtle and understated, and just gives eyes a little lift. I love this for defining eyes for casual evenings out, when you don’t want to look quite so ‘done up!’ The pencil is again cool in tone, and is great for someone like me with hazel eyes.

Last, but certainly not least is Taupe, which is the lightest of the three, and in the pencil appears to be a warm, metallic brown.

This is definitely my favorite for day. When applied, the colour is a mid to warm brown with a slight pinky leaning. It’s this pencil where you see the metallic most easily, and it is perfect for blending over the entire lid, as the colour remains rich and the sheen looks super chic.

With their new collection, Clarins have really succeeded in creating a range which introduces colours which might not already be hiding in your stash, but are also supremely wearable.